Graphic Arts Building Approved by BRA for Sullivan Square

By Seth Daniel

Berkeley Investments got approval from the Board of the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) to move forward with its $52 million residential project fronting Sullivan Square.

During the BRA’s monthly Board meeting, the project – known as the Graphic Arts building – received approvals within the Article 80 process.

Eric Ekman of Berkeley Investments could not be reached for comment on this story.

The 32 Cambridge Street project will include the leveling of the Henry Sawyer Building, renovation of the existing Graphic Arts Finishers Building and construction of a new building at 572 Rutherford Avenue.

The Graphic Arts Finishers building will be renovated to include three stories of loft-style residential units, with nine studios, 31 one-bedroom lofts and an additional six units. The site will also include 2,500 square feet of retail, restaurant, or other commercial space on its ground floor, along with 16 parking spaces. At the new 572 Rutherford Avenue building, there will be a mix of unit types, including studios, one and one-plus bedrooms, two- and three-bedrooms, as well as 97 parking spaces.

Overall, as proposed, the project will be generate 171 residential units, 2,500 square feet of ground-floor commercial space, 113 accessory parking spaces, and supporting amenities and site improvements.

The project has been moving through the Town’s various community groups since July 2015. Charlestown Preservation’s Design Review Committee gave it a positive recommendation after looking at the various design characteristics.

Meanwhile, a BRA meeting in March revealed tensions between union labor organizations and the developer, which have apparently been ironed out. Additionally, an agreement with MassPort to use D Street as an entrance and egress to the larger parking garage has also been formalized.

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